Contact with sharp glass, undetermined intent, sequela

This code signifies a long-term or residual effect resulting from an injury caused by sharp glass, where the intent of the injury (accidental, self-harm, assault) could not be determined. It is used to report conditions that are a direct consequence of the initial glass-related trauma, manifesting after the acute phase of the injury has passed.

Apply this code when documenting a patient presenting with a chronic complication, scar, or other lasting sequela directly attributable to a past injury involving sharp glass, and the original intent of the injury was not definitively established. Examples include chronic pain from embedded glass fragments, nerve damage, or significant scarring from a laceration where the circumstances of the injury were unclear.

• Always assign this sequela code in conjunction with a code describing the specific nature of the sequela (e.g., scar, chronic pain, nerve damage).
• Ensure documentation clearly supports the "undetermined intent" aspect of the original injury; if intent is known, a different external cause code should be used.
• Verify that the encounter is for the sequela of the injury, not the acute injury itself.